Carpobrotus deliciosus
Sweet Hottentot Fig
a perennial evergreen member of the Carpobrotus genus in the family Aizoaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Genus
- Carpobrotus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or used as a garnish for fruit salads[4][5]. The fruit can also be dried and eaten like candy or made into jams and preserves[4]. There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is moderately fire-retardant and can be planted as a barrier to the spread of forest fires in Mediterranean and similar climates[5]. Planted on sunny banks and sandy soils in order to prevent soil erosion[5].
- Product or use
- Fire retardant
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- S. Africa - Cape Province and Riversdale districts.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow March to June in a greenhouse. Lower night-time temperatures are beneficial. The seed usually germinates in 7 - 10 days at 23°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings at any time during the growing season. Allow the cutting to dry in the sun for a day or two then pot up in a very sandy mix. Very easy[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position[6][8]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[7]. Established plants are very drought resistant[8]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[7]. Moderately fire-retardant[8].
Plants are not very frost resistant, they can be damaged by temperatures below about -2°c and only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[8].
A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)